How Choose a topic of interest, spend a little time researching it, have a discussion then publish the notes - which are available on the site to read along!

Why The main benefits are the fostering of a greater understanding of the world before we die and hopefully, to prompt further thought and discussion from our listeners.

The topic we will be discussing in this episode is Celebrity

Topic Overview

Famous for one’s works, famous for the work of others, famous for being famous. Celebrity has been currency ever since Moses dropped the first set of commandments. In today’s age, If You're Not Famous at Fourteen, You're Finished. From premier league footballers to reality TV desperados to attention-seeking serial killers, celebrity is the ultimate confirmation of one’s secret suspicion, ‘I’m special’. They may be workaholics, sycophants, obsessives or uncommonly gifted in their field, they may have had fame thrust upon them. Alcoholics, drug abusers, sexual predators, confidence tricksters but at least, they’re not faceless ordinaries. Must we all aspire to celebrity?

Off-topic

What we’re not talking about

Cluster bombs

Object-relational mapping

US Government using cats to execute prisoners on death row

Talking Points

Each bullet is a talking point. Sub-bullets are topics that may or may not be covered. Usage: Read the bullet and sub-bullets then talk about some or all sub-bullets.

Celebrity Someone who is ​famous, ​especially in the ​entertainment ​business

Fame The ​state of being ​known or ​recognized by many ​people because of ​your ​achievements, ​skills, etc. - Cambridge Dictionary Online

Celebrity culture

Why seek fame?

People who are genuinely talented might see the fame side effect as problematic. Some of them may find it problematic to begin with then get sucked into the machine and end up desperate and neurotic and alienate everyone they know.

Fame

The ‘price of fame’

Transience

Appearance fees

Behaviour

Drugs and alcohol abuse

Fragile ego

Outbursts

Views on politics, social commentary

Charity involvement

Preconceptions/perceptions

Want to see failure, self destruction

All celebrities are shameless, money-grubbing horrible people

Media obsession

Paparazzi

Marketing

Advertising

Psychology

What being famous can do to someone:

turn them into an arsehole

detach them from reality. Countless examples of this

make them self destruct. Countless examples of this

Pink Floyd’s The Wall is quite a good telling of some of this story.

Reality TV

Big Brother quite possibly started this ball rolling

Kardashians

Katie Price

Ozzy Osbourne

HUlk Hogan

Talk Shows

Celebrity relationships

Insufferable and they rarely seem to last

Infamy

Risk taking

Humiliation

Criminals

Kray Twins

Ronnie Biggs

Al Capone, John Dillinger

Internet & social media

The emergence of a whole generation of ‘stars’ who would never ever have been famous were it not for the internet. These people can be ordinary looking to downright ugly, have speech impediments, be broke et cetera et cetera.

Royalty

Politicians

‘Politics is show business for ugly people’ 1991, Texas political consultant Bill Miller

Glossary

Terminology specific to the topic

Celebrity worship syndrome (CWS) An obsessive-addictive disorder in which a person becomes overly involved with the details of a celebrity's personal life.

Wrap Up

Details about site, contacts, next show: The Very Best of Stanley Kubrick

Outro music choice - something open source or out of copyright so we don’t get sued

J. S. Bach The Open Goldberg Variations by Kimiko Ishizaka, a Kickstarter project that recorded then published for free to the public domain, the Goldberg Variations, BWV 988. This is the Aria.